HARRISBURG – In response to Penn State University’s recent announcement identifying branch campuses, including Penn State Wilkes-Barre, for potential closure, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) issued the following statement expressing deep concern and a call for greater transparency and community input:
“As someone who previously sat on the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board for many years, I can tell you that the announcement that the campus has been identified for potential closure comes as quite a shock to the community.
“The student body, faculty, workers and all the enterprises that are part of the support system are understandably worried about what the future holds. The heartfelt communications I am receiving from inside and outside the campus community capture the disappointment and sense of devastation people are feeling.
“I was not informed of these decisions prior to the public announcement, and to date, no one has shown me a plan. I recently met with the Acting Secretary of Education, Dr. Carrie Rowe, and expressed my frustration and concerns. She informed me that the closure of an institution’s campus, including those of state-related institutions, requires approval from the Secretary of Education and shared a copy of correspondence sent to Penn State University President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi.
“Therefore, I am not accepting closure as a foregone conclusion. There is more due diligence required. Nor am I an apologist for the Penn State predicament. They are susceptible to the suspicion that too much money has been poured into the main campus, especially favoring athletics over academics, to the detriment of the satellite campuses. Based on the information they present each year during state budget hearings, Penn State leadership likely ignored warning signals for too long, to the point where they feel drastic action is the only option. Wherever they end up in determining how much to shrink their holdings, that is their problem, not ours.
“This challenge is going to require the insight, analysis, innovation and collaboration of political leaders, educators, business and union officials, community leaders and strategic planners for us to achieve a sustainable and forward-looking outcome.
“To that end, I will continue to be part of this conversation.”
CONTACT: Jennifer Wilson